February is a good time to rewind to some of the best events with European Tour players in India. The men’s event in Feb 2008 was a European Tour event that took place at my home course, the Delhi Golf Club. It had some spectacular moments.
Amongst the most well known name was Ernie Els. The South African gentle giant who had all eyes on him, since he was the all time “Biggie”. Ernie Els had the “nasty nine“ on the second day’s play at the 18 hole on Delhi Golf Club’s Lodhi course unfortunately to miss cut!
So upsetting was this- that it was the talk of international tours for several weeks!! The EMAAR MASTERS turned out an Indian winner in SSP Chowrasia who won his three year European Tour exemption and the fat prize purse. Moments of glory for this wonderful golfing lad from Kolkata’s Royal Calcutta Golf Club took a leap as India’s iconic film star Abhishek Bachhan and Omega’s brand Ambassador handed the trophy and a replica of the “INDIA GATE”-a thumping victory indeed that turned the heads of India’s pessimistic government sports administrators – who had long projected the game golf as “elitist.”
The Delhi Golf Club had never witnessed such a spectator footfall- the gates had to be shut. A volunteer force of over 400 plus- some of who travelled from cities across India made the 2008 championship an event to remember. The sudden surge of media onto the 18 green to come close to the two icons- almost ended in a stampede! A big “Thank You” from the smiling winner Chowrasia to all those who made such a success of the Championship was from a worthy, worthy winner.
Can the 1.5 million USD Championship become a home player’s crowning glory yet again. India’s home grown lads Anirban Lahiri, Shiv Kapur, Rashid Khan,young surging star Chikka- and SSP Chip-putt-sia himself? Sleepless nights and excitement. A three year exemption on European Tour and a host of other goodies is just what might become a dream come true once again for our aspirants.
It is February- We call this India’s AUGUST MONTH for golfing aficionados for whom a seven year wait for return of the European Tour is over. India’s flagship golf championship Hero Men’s Indian Open is here. New styles, hairdos to emulate, cigars and single malt whiskies to blend with the capital’s- 3 Fs ‘Fabulous- February- Flavour’.
Scheduled on India’s heritage Lodhi’ golf course, at Delhi Golf Club in the third week of Feb – get ready to see the Indian Open In its new and bigger avatar. From 2015 a co sanction event with the Men’s European Tour, the Championship promises very many surprises yet again.
Champika Sayal is the Secretary General of the Women’s Golf Association of India
